It’s been 27 months since the last cruise ship moored out in Pioneer Bay, bringing with it thousands of tourists who would enjoy activities, dining experiences and purchase souvenirs from local businesses.
It is estimated that the cruise ship industry delivered approximately $21 million into our local economy annually, with over 60 ships visiting our region each year.
The dedicated team of volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors met passengers at the dock this morning, welcoming in a new era for tourism in the Whitsundays.
Thousands Of Tourists Arrive By Cruise Ship
Over 2000 excited cruise ship passengers arrived at the Port of Airlie this morning, their vibrant energy a tonic for the local tourism industry and a welcome boost for our regional economy where one in three jobs are within the hospitality sector.
The first ship to arrive is P&O’s Pacific Explorer which is travelling from Sydney to Cairns, stopping at Airlie Beach today, June 17.
The Coral Princess will be next, making her maiden voyage to Airlie Beach on Tuesday, 28th June.
The Whitsundays was due to welcome 85 cruise ships in 2020 but this came to a dramatic standstill in the wake of COVID.
It is hoped the industry will now be revived, with an estimated 60 ships scheduled to come to the Whitsundays in the remainder of 2022.
P&O Cruises Australia President Marguerite Fitzgerald said that she is excitement for the resumption of cruising in Queensland and looks forward to Queensland once again becoming a key market for cruising in Australia after a two-year pause in operations.
“P&O Cruises arrival in Queensland heralds the resurgence of the cruise industry with its multitude of cruise destinations now set to benefit from the revitalisation of cruise tourism,” she said.
“Prior to the pandemic, cruising accounted for more than $1 billion annually in economic activity in Queensland with regional destinations from the Whitsundays to Cairns benefiting.”
Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton, said that the return of cruise ships is a huge win for the region.
“This is a significant piece of our tourism industry getting back to normalcy and from pre-COVID data, the cruise industry was set to have delivered approximately $21 million into the local economy.”
A sea of blue floral Hawaiian shirts greeted the first passengers this morning, the friendly faces of the volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors welcoming guests to our region and directing them into town and answering any other questions they may have.
Judy and Keith Dunn from the local Chamber of Commerce first started the Cruise Ship Ambassador program in 2004 when up to four ships a year would bring passengers to the Whitsundays.
At the time, there were only four volunteers but this has now grown to over 20.
Brian Richardson, current coordinator of the program said they are always looking for volunteers and it would suit semi-retired people who have some free time.
“Anybody is welcome to join us – it is good fun and you will meet a lovely bunch of people,” he said.
Cruise Ship Ambassadors Vicki Marks and Rob Vigors with Renee Branton-brown from Cruise Whitsundays
The P&O Pacific Explorer arrived from Sydney today carrying 2000 passengers
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